Membership Update
by Lisa Wylie - Council VP, Membership
During the past year a small group of volunteers have been developing a website just for membership. During my visits to units, roundtables, and any gathering of Scouts I have heard that people would like to know where to find recruiting ideas and tools, information about Scouting programs, and who to contact for help. The website is now complete and ready for your use.

To find the website go to the Chief Seattle Council home page at SeattleBSA.org and from the dropdown menu under Scouting select Membership, located at the bottom of the list. This will take you to the Membership Home page. In the future, look for current information on membership events and hints on building a successful program on this page.

Under Membership Contacts you will find the District Membership Chairs. Direct contact information will be added as we gain permission. This site is public; anyone who enters the website will be able to view the list of membership chairs.

The Scout Membership site is also public. I encourage you to direct families looking for information about Scouting to this page. The site provides information on Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts and Venturing using links to the national website. We also have a link to "Scouts and Parents", a wonderful site providing valuable tips on what it is to be a part of the Scouting Family.

The final piece is our Recruiting Ideas and Tools website. This site is not available to the general public. To gain access you must create a login id. The site lists recruiting materials for Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts and Venturing. Let me know what you think. If you have a successful recruiting tip I would love to hear about it. The website will be updated and new ideas and tips added as they are submitted.

I would love to hear from you about what you think about the website, what you would like to see in the future. Great ideas come from you, our great volunteers.

Cub Scout Day Camp
Early Bird registration ends soon! The price for day camp goes from $70 to $80 on May 18, so sign up now!! Join us for a week of summer day camp fun as we celebrate Cubs at Sea! As always, we'll have great crafts, games, programs, and activities for all Cub Scouts. Bring a non-Cub Scout friend and show him what it's all about! Day camp registration packets have been distributed- contact the day camp director or your district executive if you still need help signing up. You can attend any open session, in any district. Click here for the Day Camp flyer, or here to visit the Day Camp page on our website.

Aviation Day Needs MB Counselors
The Third Annual Alaska Airlines Aviation Day is coming up on Saturday, May 21st. This popular and free event met registration capacity in just 3 days! Over 500 high school students will be introduced to the vast array of aviation careers in a hands-on program filled day. However, we still need aviation merit badge counselors so please contact Bill Westcott at wlwest1@gmail.com or 206-399-5805 to help out.

Commissioner's Corner
"Delivering the promise!" I've talked about this before. How are we doing? For the most part, I think we are doing very well. There are many factors that help make the difference, but the common denominator is dedicated parents/volunteers that will find the time…no matter what… to work with their child to help guide them through a rewarding Scouting experience. But it doesn't stop with just their child because they see the value in the investment made to the group…the unit. I had the pleasure of attending an Eagle Court of Honor recently where four young men were honored for their accomplishments. What I experienced was a truly gratifying example of "delivering the promise" in action. The families and extended families of these Eagle Scouts gave a lot to ensure that these young men had the opportunity to be successful. Sure, it was up to them to stay involved, earn the ranks and merit badges and ultimately to demonstrate leadership and complete their project. But they didn't do it alone. These families know about investment in our future and our community. This is just an example of the tireless effort given to our movement by so many dedicated volunteers throughout our council. Thank you for finding the time to give back! Your son or daughter might not thank you now...but they will! You can count on that.

Yours in Scouting!
Kevin

Have a Great Scouting Memory to Share?
Whether it be a funny story of packing the wrong gear on a backpacking trip, or one that pulls at the heartstrings. Please share your stories with us by sending them to Darla at the council service center in Seattle. No professionally written articles required, just a draft of the general idea and we'll take care of the editing. We appreciate your participation! Perhaps your story will be highlighted in next month's newsletter!

CAMP STAFF OPPORTUNITIES
Camp staff opportunities are available for Scouts and Venturers to work in our camp program for 2011. Positions are currently available at Camps Brinkley and Sheppard. Click here for an application.

Scouts Serve those in Need
Scouting for Food wrapped up last month and, according to our reports, Scout and adult participants brought in 10% more non-perishable items than last year for their local food banks and pantries.

A big thank you to all the Scouts, parents and leaders that donated their time and energy for such an important service project.

Unit participation ribbons will be available at your May/June district roundtable meetings.

2011 NYLT Now Open
NYLT
Camp Pigott
July 11-26 (Mon.-Sat.)
August 15-20 (Mon.-Sat.)

The 2011 NYLT sessions are now open! The National Youth Leadership Training (NYLT) Conference is like Wood Badge for youth. It's an exciting, action-packed program designed to provide youth members of the Boy Scouts of America with leadership skills and experiences they can use in their home Troop or Venture Crew and other situations demanding leadership of self and others.

CLICK HERE for more information on NYLT, to view the brochure and to watch the promotional video.

2011 Camp Property Improvements
A number of projects have been recently completed or are underway as we continually work to improve each property for the use of Scouts and their leaders and parents. For further information about these projects, click here.

Venturing Update

Scout Shop Corner
Clearance Sale
The Scout Shops currently have a large number of items on clearance. Many are 50-80% off their original retail prices. $3 Nalgene water bottles, $50 tents, and $25 cots are just a few of the hundreds of items we have. Don't wait too long though because once we're out, we are out!

The Camping Season Approaches
Which of our fantastic summer camps are you attending this year? What about a spring hiking trip? Did you just cross over into Boy Scouts and are in dire need of camping supplies? You can find just about everything you need at the Scout Shop at very reasonable prices. Our two most popular backpacks are internal frames and both cost about $105. They are easily adjustable and will fit you now and will still fit you when you reach your adult height. We also have all your ten essentials and a staff that will help you with any questions you may have. Stop in and check out our selection.

Looking for Temporary Help
The Scout Shops will be doing their Mid-Year Inventory June 25th-26th. We are now looking for anybody who might be interested in helping us out. You would be hired through a Temp Agency and paid for your service. You must be at least 18 years of age to apply. If interested, please contact Christopher McNeal at the Puget Sound Scout Shop in Seattle at 206-721-5945, or Maureen Narimatsu at the Bremerton Scout Shop at 360-373-2569.

Troop 571 Enjoyed a Mountain Biking Event at Soaring Eagle

News From National
New Outdoor Awards Unveiled
Two new awards have been developed to promote "outdoorism" for Boy Scouts and Varsity Scouts. READ MORE.

Leave No Trace Program Enhancements
The BSA is pleased to partner with the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics, an organization dedicated to the responsible enjoyment and stewardship of the outdoors. Scouting and Leave No Trace share a common commitment to ethical use of the outdoors. By Frank Reigelman, Outdoor Adventures Group. READ MORE.

BSA Social Media Guidelines
READ MORE.

Community Opportunities
Free Community Night at the Seattle Art Museum Downtown on May 5 from 5:30 - 9pm for a terrific celebration: March to the Center of the Earth: Community Night Out